1. 2015-2016 MS. DAW MRS. KAST MRS. STOLLMAN Blanche Sims Elementary Fifth Grade

2. Reader’s Workshop Reader’s Workshop consists of daily minilessons, conferences, and self-selected reading time. Students will write responses to reflect upon their reading. Units covered in fifth grade: Interpretation Book Clubs Tackling Complexity Argument and Advocacy Fantasy Book Clubs

3. Writer’s Workshop Writing is taught daily through minilessons, conferences and independent writing time. The writing process steps include: brainstorming, drafting, conferencing, revising, editing, and publishing. Units covered in fifth grade:  Narrative Craft  The Lens of History: Research Reports  Shaping Texts  The Research-Based Argument Essay

4. Words Their Way Students are assessed at the beginning of the school year and grouped based upon knowledge of spelling patterns and current spelling stage. New pattern lists will be distributed every other Monday. Different sorting activities and assignments are given throughout two weeks to help the students focus on word structure and spelling patterns, rather than memorization of words. Every other Thursday, students will be assessed on spelling pattern lists.

5. Mathematics The district uses the Math Expressions program. Students have a Student Activity workbook and copies are made from the Homework and Remembering book as needed. Students have access at home to Think Central. Scholastic Study Jams has many free videos that teach concepts step by step. Learnzillion is another recommended website for teaching and reviewing mathematical concepts. Students are also registered for Front Row, which is an online program that assesses skills and assigns practice.

6. Mathematics Fifth grade mathematics units: Addition and Subtraction with Fractions Addition and Subtraction with Decimals Multiplication and Division with Fractions Multiplication with Whole Numbers and Decimals Division with Whole Numbers and Decimals Operations and Word Problems Algebra, Patterns, and Coordinate Graphs Measurement and Geometry

7. Social Studies Student will use the Social Studies Alive program and Social Studies Weekly newspapers. We will study the first Americans through the Constitution. Topics: Geography of the United States American Indians and Cultural Regions European Exploration Colonies Slavery American Revolution

8. Science Students will learn science concepts through experiments, simulations, projects, textbooks and Science Studies Weekly newspapers. Units to be covered in fifth grade: Forces, Motion and Energy Adaptation and Survival Measurement Heredity Ecosystems Human Impact on our Environment

9. Intervention Students are grouped for Intervention, or I-Time, three days a week. Groups are fluid and change based on students’ needs. The purpose of I-Time is to assist those who need extra help in an area, and to challenge those who are strong academically. Students will be taking the AIMSweb Fluency assessment and Math MCOMP assessment to determine base scores. When results are complete, we will conduct grade level data team meetings with the school psychologist, Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. Goethals and other support staff to create an I-Time plan for the first marking period.

10. Homework Homework will be a combination of:  Class work not completed during the school day.  Weekly PAWS (paragraph a week) which are due on Wednesdays.  Occasional specific subject area assignments (math, science, social studies, or extension activities).  Reading each night. Some nights there may be slightly more or slightly less depending on the amount of work completed during class. Students may ALWAYS access Think Central or Front Row at home for additional practice.

11. Standards Based Grading There are no longer letter grades or percentages on assignments and report cards; you will see either written feedback or a 1,2, 3, 4 for a specific standard. 4= met the standard 3 = consistent progress toward the standard 2 =inconsistent progress toward the standard 1= area of concern Conferences will be held in November and March. Report cards will be completed in January and June. Papers will be sent home in the green Teacher/Parent Communication folder each Friday. Teachers will also be collecting assignments for data to inform their grading.

12. School Wide Discipline Policy All students receive daily minilessons on behavior expectations. Class meetings take place daily in every classroom. Also, students are expected to use the Kind Reminder Process when faced with a peer issue. Discipline procedures:  Step 1—Warning  Step 2—Self-monitoring spot for five minutes  Step 3—Move to buddy classroom to complete “think sheet.” Parents are asked to sign the sheet and return it to school.  Step 4—Removal from classroom and immediate lesson on the behavior. Lessons repeated for three days by team member and teacher.  Students will receive a notification note which requires a parent signature if they reach Steps 2-4.

13. Cultures of Thinking Cultures of Thinking are places in which a group’s collective, as well as individual, thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted as part of the regular, day-to-day experience of all group members. Visible Thinking routines: See-Think-Wonder, Zoom In, Think-Puzzle-Explore, Chalk Talk, 3-2-1 Bridge, Compass Points, Explanation Game, Headlines, CSI, Generate-Sort- Connect-Elaborate, Connect-Extend-Challenge, The 4 C’s, Micro Lab, I used to think, What makes you say that?, Circle Viewpoints, Step Inside, Red Light, Yellow Light, Claim Support Question, Tug of War, and Phrase-Word-Sentence.

14. A Culture of Thinking: Why is it Important? Real, deep, and lasting learning is a product of thinking. Students’ thinking needs ongoing support & encouragement. Habits of mind and dispositions toward thinking and understanding cannot be taught, they must be enculturated over time. Learning is a social endeavor and unfolds within that context. Instructional methods and curriculum aren’t enough to develop understanding. It needs the ongoing support of the environment.

15. Classroom Economy Program We have created a classroom economy system in all students have jobs and receive pay each week. Each quarter, there will be a “Sale Day” in which students may purchase from a list of items. Students may also earn additional pay for good behavior choices. Students may also be assigned fines when poor decisions are made. We are asking for parent donations to help support this program. Examples are:  $5 gift card (restaurant, movie theater, etc.)  Box of snacks (Rice Krispie Treats, cookies, etc.)  Help supervise during “game day” if chosen  Prizes for the “prize box”  Donation of items if party is chosen (plates, cups, beverages, ice cream toppings, spoons)

16. Book Orders Book orders are sent home monthly. Books are sold at a discount price through Scholastic. Each time you order books our classroom earns points which are used to order additional books for our classroom library. Online ordering codes:  Daw GNMBP

17. Birthdays and Snacks Please feel free to send a peanut-free, wrapped treat or non-food item to school for your child’s birthday (we send them home with students). Students have recess and lunch at 12:40 P.M. They may bring one healthy snack to have in the morning, when needed, as well as water bottles. Snack examples: fruit, crackers, cheese, popcorn, etc.

18. Specials Schedule Monday: Physical Education (Mr. Luhmann) Tuesday: Media Center (Mrs. Manganello) Wednesday: Art (Mrs. Campione) Thursday: Music (Mrs. Simms) Friday: Physical Education (Mr. Luhmann)

19. Communication Teachers will send out a weekly newsletter each Friday which includes important dates and curriculum information. Teachers check student logs on a daily basis; you may see a message written in your child’s log, or you may write one to your child’s teacher. School phone number: (248) 693-5460. Email is checked throughout the day. kkast1@lakeorion.k12.mi.us ddaw@lakeorion.k12.mi.us sstollman@lakeorion.k12.mi.us